NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt volleyball libero Elli Kinney set a career-high with 20 digs on Sunday.
Despite producing more kills, Vanderbilt (5-14, 1-9 SEC) fell to South Carolina (8-12, 2-8 SEC), 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-23).
Two Dores recorded double-digit kills; Reese Animashaun totaled 16, and Maya Witherspoon registered 10. Jackie Moore and Mia Soerensen posted nine kills each. Isabella Bareford tallied 28 assists and 11 digs, recording her fourth double-double of the season. Making an impact on both sides of the ball, Kayla Dunlap recorded a team-high four blocks and added six kills, hitting at a .455 clip.
South Carolina had three players with 10-plus kills. Nia Hall led the way with 14 and was followed by Emily Beeker with 12 and Elise Marchai with 10. Victoria Harris and Beeker led the Gamecocks’ defensive efforts, as Harris dug 23 balls, and Beaker posted eight blocks. Sarah Jordan dished out 30 assists to help South Carolina hit .275 as a team.
Vanderbilt dropped its first set, 25-22. The two squads kept the score close, but South Carolina went on a 5-1 scoring run to end the set.
The Commodores were able to shift the momentum in set 2, leading from start to finish. Animashaun hit .385, recording six of Vandy’s 18 kills in the second set. The Vanderbilt defense combined for three blocks and 21 digs to hold the Gamecocks to a .122 hitting efficiency.
Vandy’s scoring continued into the beginning of the third set, but South Carolina took lead after scoring four unanswered points. Scoring went back and forth until the set was tied at 21 all. From there, the Gamecocks ended the set scoring four straight points.
South Carolina was in the lead for most of the final set, but the Dores battled back to tie the score at 23-23. Animashaun recorded six kills in set 4, at one point firing off three in a row. However, the Gamecocks were able to hang on and win the set, 25-23, and the match, 3-1.
Up next, Vanderbilt hits the road to take on third-ranked Kentucky on Friday night. First serve is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed on SEC Network+.
